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Birmingham's Sandhya Garg had a chance for payback on 'Project Runway,' but did she take it?

Sandhya Garg 081614

Birmingham's Sandhya Garg (center right photo) created a colorful ensemble this week on "Project Runway" (left photo). The designers had to use "classic" suits (read: outdated and cheesy) as their inspiration and fabric. Garg chose a purple and yellow suit for herself, then selected suits for her fellow contestants (top right photo). (Lifetime photos)

Folks who've been watching the Lifetime reality series know that Garg, 28, has sewn some unique, avant-garde clothing during Season 13, winning a couple of challenges and provoking the green-eyed monster in her fellow contestants.

She's been bullied and ostracized by outspoken competitors, and even a few mild-mannered designers have questioned Garg's success. The show has portrayed her as an outcast, more or less, but Garg isn't allowing envious chitter-chatter to determine her fate.

On the most recent episode, Garg's colorful design prompted zero controversy -- from the judges or from her fellow designers -- but she was placed in the catbird seat by the show's producers. Her task: to choose fabric for the other contestants.

Would Garg engage in a vengeful power play, doling out dregs to her foes? Or would she take the high road, distributing fabrics with an even hand?

"She now controls the game," declared Sean Kelly, a contestant from Brooklyn, N.Y.

Let's not call her Gargzilla -- Birmingham's rep on the show isn't inclined to trample and destroy -- but she has displayed a steely resolve. And on this particular challenge, Garg acquired a new, "don't mess with me" status.

In short, she was large and in charge.

Rewind from last week: Thirteen designers survived the episode, which focused on a time-traveling challenge. In honor of the 20th anniversary of Marie Claire magazine, the contestants looked to 1994 as the inspiration for designs we might see in Marie Claire in 2034. Garg responded with a soft pink sheath that boasted shiny tubular embellishments. She triumphed with the futuristic look, which Zac Posen labeled "weird, in a good way."

Back for Round 4: This week, the designers took a road trip to a Red Robin restaurant -- hello, product placement! -- and found mentor Tim Gunn waiting outside. The link between the burger joint and the challenge was rather tortured; it relied on the notion of giving a traditional favorite a fresh twist.

Sharp-dressed men: Servers in "classic" suits -- think cheesy tuxedos and outdated prom outfits -- emerged from the restaurant and lined up for scrutiny. Each designer had to use one of the suits, transforming the material into high-fashion look. Garg, as the winner of the previous challenge, picked her suit first. (She opted for a bright yellow-and-purple ensemble with "Miami Vice" flair.) Then, Garg was asked to select suits for the other 12 designers. Payback time?

Her rationale: "I generally gave designers what I thought they would choose," Garg said. When complaints arose, she countered with: "You have to embrace it and do the best with what you are given."

Thank you, Mood: "Project Runway" isn't completely sadistic; the contestants were allowed to purchase additional fabric at a New York emporium. "I need Mood to go perfectly," said Amanda Valentine, frustrated by a pink-and-white floral print.

Garg's look: She went with separates -- a crop top and asymmetrical skirt -- incorporating the shape of a mustache into the details of her design. (Apparently, a mustache graphic caught Garg's eye while she was sketching at Red Robin.) Overall, her look was whimsical yet sophisticated.

Under the Gunn: As usual, the mentor seemed concerned during his workroom check-in with Garg. Her look struck him as "too junior," Gunn said. Garg listened and nodded, taking his advice in stride.

Judges: The primary trio -- Heidi Klum, Zac Posen and Nina Garcia -- was joined by Bethany Mota, an 18-year-old video blogger. Mota became a fashion celeb when her "haul" videos (celebrating recent purchases) took off on YouTube.

Runway critique: N/A. Garg was declared safe, along with six other designers. Klum smiled when Garg's model came down the runway, but she offered no verbal feedback.

In or out?: In, of course. Garg had immunity as the winner of the previous challenge, and could not be eliminated.

Quotable: "I am not an easy prey, if you know now," Garg said. She was responding to one of her detractors, the sniping Hernan Lander, but this could be her mission statement.

Cut: Lander, a designer from Los Angeles, was sent packing. He'd become one of Garg's primary opponents in recent weeks, clashing with her during a disastrous group challenge. Now, Lander blamed Garg for his ouster, saying she'd given him the worst suit in the bunch. Bye-bye!